Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Hand Painted Linen Kitchen Towels & Napkins - Easy DIY Project

In my kitchen, each season I change out accents to make the otherwise neutral room feel more like that particular time of year. Little touches like adding fresh colored kitchen towels and a stack of linen napkins can make a big difference in making the entire room feel like Spring, for example. To be able to keep up with my seasonally evolving kitchen, I have made a variety of custom kitchen linens that boast my favorite color combinations and hand-stitched monograms. Best of all, this project can be done by the most un-gifted artist.

UPDATE : I've started stocking my own collection of linens in my Everyday Occasions store - some inspired by these hand-painted towels. My collection for this season has a selection of warm, muted tones for fall. Some even come with coordinating cocktail napkins and dinner napkins - perfect for making your kitchen and family dinners cozy and warm this season. Visit the store here.

Begin by cutting the linen into the size of the item you’d like to
make. For a napkin, a 20-inch square is a standard size, and 24 by
30-inches works great for kitchen towels. Allow 1-inch extra around the
perimeter for the seam. Place a piece of craft paper on your surface
before beginning. Place the linen down and use painter’s tape to create
stripes. For a ‘plaid’ effect you’ll need to do the perpendicular
stripes in separate phases.

To make the paint, mix the color you’d like to use, then dilute it with 2 parts water. Dip your paint brush in the paint, then dab off until almost all of the liquid is off of the brush, leaving only a small amount coating the bristles. This is called a dry brush method. Lightly begin to brush the liquid on with even strokes. Continue until all of the stripes are a homogeneous color and intensity.

Remove the tape and repeat to complete your selected pattern.

Let the paint dry for several hours.

Hem the edges of the linens with a 1/2 seam. Wash in cool water and press.

I put an "H" monogram on our napkins with embroidery floss using a simple running stitch.

hi jenny ~ i love this! i have so many linen scraps of fabric that are just sitting in a closet. I especially love the idea of using them for napkins! can i asked how many times you pre-washed the linen before painting it? thanks, tessa

I have a serious affinity for kitchen towels. They're a little treat I can almost always justify for myself. I've recently been exploring the idea of making some of my own with fabrics i have been finding. This idea, however, is too cute! I may have to give sponge stamping a try for a floral motif.

This is really cool. Thanks for sharing. I have an additional question. Without handpainting each one, do you know how I can get my art printed on kitchen towels -- a source of have this done. I do birds and flowers -- very colorful and springlike -- that I'd like to get printed on towels. My original art, that is. Thanks!

Great stuff from you, man. I’ve read your stuff before and your just too awesome. I love what you’ve got here, love what you’re saying and the way you say it. You make it entertaining and you still manage to keep it smart. I can’t wait to read more from you.Kids Bathrobes

You can use acrylic paint and water it down. I prefer to use artist quality or good quality paints. You get a better result than with the 50 cent paint. You can also mix the acrylic paint with fabric medium. The fabric medium helps bind the paint while allowing the fabric to keep its hand (not get stiff). Also Color Box now makes a Crafters Ink that comes in a stamp pad. I love this new product. Once the paint is dry, heat set with a dry iron. Use a pressing cloth or plain piece of white paper to protect your iron. Once heat set, your project will launder well. Sorry. I'm really into the paint on fabric thing right now.

I really like your ideas and I use very similar ones in some of my projects. You should check out the flour sack towels I just finished. Check them out at my Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TaylorAndTwill

great idea and i think that is good if you introduce new design. we are also recently working with some projects of Cheap Tea Towels ,Wholesale Kitchen Towels and many other towels. and we really have a serious affinity for kitchen towels. They're a little treat I can almost always justify for myself. I've recently been exploring the idea of making some of my own with fabrics i have been finding. This idea, however, is too cute! I may have to give sponge stamping a try for a floral motif.

hmmmm I like your ideas Such a great staple in the home. And you can take pride in them every time you use them. one thing i want to know about that How well does the fabric paint last through repeated washing and drying on a towel. and am i try this fabric paint in Bed Sheets also?

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